Got the Solo sample today!

[butterflykisses]

I haven't tried it on yet. I'll be curious about just how "discreet" it will be. It is small but might still be a bit bulky? But it seems like enough. Its weighted to feel like 200 units of insulin. It can't be taken apart to "fill" but it says it can be disconnected. I love the idea of being able to change the set/cradle and reattaching. That's one of the reasons I didn't go with the Omnipod. Plus the cost. We'll see how it goes. It says that they're going to be releasing in certain areas in the beginning of the year and those lucky people will get to try it free! Probably 90 days, to test their training, Customer service, etc. I doubt my little okie town will be in their geographical area. :(

[sarahspins]

Awesome! I'm still waiting on mine.. I feel like EVERYONE else has already gotten theirs.. lol

I had a neat idea the other day, about a pump that was small enough to be work as a patch with a sort of "docking" infusion set, or with a traditional tubed infusion set.. sort of a hybrid. I wonder if we'll ever see something like that in the future.

[butterflykisses]

Good ideas Sarahspins. I think they're heading in the right direction as far tubeless goes. I think the problem is being able to get it small enough and still hold enough insulin. I would be willing to refill a smaller reservoir every day in order to have a smaller size, but don't know if that would be acceptable for majority.

I put the Solo on and have to say that it is a bit bulky, something I didn't like about the Omnipod either. However, the deal breaker with the Omnipod for me had more to do with having to replace a whole pod if there was a problem, like an occlusion. At least with the Solo you can just change the out the cannula/cradle and snap the pump back on. The thing they need to do is add a glucose meter to the remote. I don't know why they didn't do that?

It's seems much more conspicuous compared to my tubed pumps? Not sure why that is, maybe the placement. I don't know if I would want to wear a bathing suit with it on?

[Subby]

This is extremely exciting. Keep us updated please, any experiences and impressions!

[poodlebone]

I also hoped the Solo would be a lot smaller than the OmniPod. It does seem a little flatter/thinner but not much. Right now the only advantages I can see that the OmniPod has over the Solo is the Pod's automatic insertion (that is an issue for some people) and the lack of a meter in the remote. Otherwise the Solo seems far superior. Being able to disconnect and bolus right on the pump sounds great.

I'm still not sold on a tubeless pump, though. They're still too bulky and I know I'd have fewer site choices with something like that. I know a lot of Pod users place them on the back of their arms but I'd be afraid over overusing sites. Sometimes having my sensor & transmitter on my abdomen is a pain and I can't imagine a pump there. The transmitter is tiny in comparison.

[lorilei]

omg...what is the SOLO? i will google it right now! smaller than the omnipod? wires? omg i would be soooo in!

[butterflykisses]

omg...what is the SOLO? i will google it right now! smaller than the omnipod? wires? omg i would be soooo in!

Hi Lori, don't know if you found the website but here's the link.
[/url]/"] (http://www.solo4you.com)/

[lorilei]

i went right to it..omg..i am giddy and crying...it looks very awesome...omg! i'm tming all my df friends !

[butterflykisses]

I also hoped the Solo would be a lot smaller than the OmniPod. It does seem a little flatter/thinner but not much. Right now the only advantages I can see that the OmniPod has over the Solo is the Pod's automatic insertion (that is an issue for some people) and the lack of a meter in the remote. Otherwise the Solo seems far superior. Being able to disconnect and bolus right on the pump sounds great.



I don't know what they were thinking not including a meter in the remote? Seems like a bit of a backward step in what is otherwise an advancement. I wouldn't be surprised if the remote gets an upgrade in the near future.

I'm not one who likes automatic insertion! I also hate the angled insertion so the Solo (with the 90 degree insertion) so those are definitely on the pro side for me.

I've been wearing the sample all afternoon. I haven't noticed it too much, other than when looking in a mirror. I have a more fitted top on so it does show, although it's probably not as noticeable to others as it is to me because I'm actually looking for it. Some of the bulk is caused by the "cradle" of the infusion set.

[butterflykisses]

i went right to it..omg..i am giddy and crying...it looks very awesome...omg! i'm tming all my df friends !
Good thing you found it since I guess I screwed up putting that link in again, lol.

[poodlebone]

I'm not one who likes automatic insertion! I also hate the angled insertion so the Solo (with the 90 degree insertion) so those are definitely on the pro side for me.


Angled sets work better for me so that's one thing about the Solo that makes me think it's not for me. It seems that with a separate cradle/cannula they can offer both 90 degree & angled and maybe they will one day. The only 90 degree set I use is the Sure-T with a steel needle, not a teflon cannula.

Don't bother trying to take the thing apart when you remove it. There is absolutely nothing of interest inside and it takes a lot of effort to pry it all apart. The Pod was definitely more fun to open.

[butterflykisses]

Don't bother trying to take the thing apart when you remove it. There is absolutely nothing of interest inside and it takes a lot of effort to pry it all apart. The Pod was definitely more fun to open.

lol, I didn't think there was a point in taking it apart, but I did think about it. :D

[lorilei]

Don't bother trying to take the thing apart when you remove it. There is absolutely nothing of interest inside and it takes a lot of effort to pry it all apart. The Pod was definitely more fun to open.

lol...that would be exactly what i would want to do

[sarahspins]

The Pod was definitely more fun to open.

I agree :D I managed to trigger the auto-insertion mechanism in mine.. that was pretty spiffy.

[poodlebone]

I agree :D I managed to trigger the auto-insertion mechanism in mine.. that was pretty spiffy.

I got an alarm to go off. It was loud!

[telizas]

Got mine today too! I would definately use this. Being flat is a plus. I'm bulky enough without a pod/egg sticking out of my apple-shaped body! I love my Ping though. I'll have to pass this info on to my parents-in-law who are both thinking about getting pumps. :)

[Doug]

the 200 unites of insulin and batteries will have a minimum size, add a motor and a circuit board and the size is pretty fixed.

There is no doubt some space to be saved from the omnipod size but batteries and insulin will always take up space.

And if you have wireless communication that requires an antenna of a certain size and puts more demands on the battery... It all adds up ...

[RWright]

How do you go about getting a sample?

[telizas]

Go to the website that was posted and request one.

[sarahspins]

I finally got mine today.. I'm somewhat unimpressed!

The packaging is neat, but it's all suspiciously lacking in details..

[butterflykisses]

I finally got mine today.. I'm somewhat unimpressed!

The packaging is neat, but it's all suspiciously lacking in details..

Yeah, I would like to know some details too. Like basal/bolus offerings, are there different cannula lengths and future plans...CGM, meter in the remote, angled set? Bolus calculator? IOB? Would also like to know more specifics about pricing...at least a general idea?

[Doug]

I got my sample as well yesterday

I like the size - THe show stopper for me and the omnopod was having to carry the PDA - this one solves part of that - the pump itself has buttons that allow a bolus without the PDA

Still need more detail - how big is the PDA ? What features does it have ? Integrated CGMS ?

[poodlebone]

It looks like the Solo remote/PDA doesn't even have an integrated meter, never mind CGMS! Having to carry the remote/PDA and a meter is one bad thing about the Solo. If someone who is using a CGMS goes for the Solo, that would mean three devices to carry around! Still, it does have many more advantages over the OmniPod. Being able to remove the pump part and refill the reservoir are great features, as well as being able to do a quick bolus right on the pump.

[butterflykisses]

It looks like the Solo remote/PDA doesn't even have an integrated meter, never mind CGMS! Having to carry the remote/PDA and a meter is one bad thing about the Solo. If someone who is using a CGMS goes for the Solo, that would mean three devices to carry around! Still, it does have many more advantages over the OmniPod. Being able to remove the pump part and refill the reservoir are great features, as well as being able to do a quick bolus right on the pump.

Yeah, the absence of a meter in the remote??? That just seems crazy to me! Maybe it's in the works?

[JediSkipdogg]

Yeah, the absence of a meter in the remote??? That just seems crazy to me! Maybe it's in the works?

My guess was finding a company willing to devote to that. It seems like alot of meter companies lately are "pairing" with pump and/or CGM companies. I just wonder if that would be where one area of the problem lies and finding a company willing to jump onboard.

Of course, I'm still amazed that Lifescan, owned by Johnson and Johnson whom own's Animas had any interest in jumping on the Minimed bandwagon. But then again, it does give them a larger market share for Lifescan. That and my opinion is anyone that choses a pump based on the BG meter associated with it is just crazy.

I got my sample and must say I like the flatter size. Seems more easily concealable. I also love having the bolus button on it which is one of my top gripes for the Omnipod. I have BG meters everywhere I go because I forget mine all the time. Can't imagine having only one way to control a pump and leaving that somewhere.

[butterflykisses]

I compared a sample of the Omnipod with the Solo. The Pod is slightly wider but about the same length (Pods a bit longer). The Solo's depth is slightly thinner when it's not in the cradle/cannula but it would probably be about the same depth when wearing it. The Pod is heavier. I don't think the size, although the Solo is smaller and lighter, is what would make me chose the Solo, but the ability to change the cannula without wasting a whole pump (and possibly insulin). Funny, what Solo is using as a plus...the ability to remove it...Omnipod is using as a negative, removing interrupts basal which causes a rise in glucose levels.

Just thought I'd share. :)

[JediSkipdogg]

Funny, what Solo is using as a plus...the ability to remove it...Omnipod is using as a negative, removing interrupts basal which causes a rise in glucose levels.

So with the Omnipod I have to give up saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds, etc because they would all fry the insulin in a heartbeat. So then I have a pump that goes against current treatment of "making one lead a normal life without thinking of diabetes." :T

[butterflykisses]

So with the Omnipod I have to give up saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds, etc because they would all fry the insulin in a heartbeat. So then I have a pump that goes against current treatment of "making one lead a normal life without thinking of diabetes." :T

Yeah, me thinks maybe they should rethink their marketing a bit. ;) They even put a nice little graph to show you just how much and how fast glucose rises even with just a 30 minute disconnection for something like a shower...rising 1mgdl per minute. :eek: :T

[carblover]

Well I tried to open mine, but with both index fingers suffering from trigger finger, I wasn't able to do it!

I, for one, was thrilled with the auto-insertion! After 20 years with T1 diabetes, I have NEVER been able to inject myself or prick my finger without an inserter! Would be very tedious to have to have someone else do it all the time!

My biggest question about the Solo is how the cannula can stay in for so long, when we can't do that with our pumps? I thought there was a problem leaving that inserted for so long. Indeed, when I have left mine in for 5 days or so, the site is rather irritated -- what would 30 days do?

[butterflykisses]

Well I tried to open mine, but with both index fingers suffering from trigger finger, I wasn't able to do it!

I, for one, was thrilled with the auto-insertion! After 20 years with T1 diabetes, I have NEVER been able to inject myself or prick my finger without an inserter! Would be very tedious to have to have someone else do it all the time!

My biggest question about the Solo is how the cannula can stay in for so long, when we can't do that with our pumps? I thought there was a problem leaving that inserted for so long. Indeed, when I have left mine in for 5 days or so, the site is rather irritated -- what would 30 days do?
It's just three days that it's left in, not thirty days, just like the cannulas of the rest of the pumps. The pump base is replaced every 3 months...not sure where the thirty day confusion came from, but if I did it, sooo sorry!

The Solo's cannula/cradle does have an insertion device, it's just not like the Omnipods automatic one that does it once the Pod is adhered to the skin.

I also need to correct the size statement I made earlier. I thought that I had taken the cradle/cannula base off the Solo sample, but I just removed the adhesive, so the depth is thinner and will lay closer to the body than the Omnipod.

[butterflykisses]

I forgot to add, and took long to edit my last post...but the Solo is sample is not meant to come apart, at least not the pump and the reservoir. If you're speaking of the cradle and pump assembly, it could be just learning how to grab it. I can do it easily with one hand, but don't have any problems with my hands, so?

[networkguy]

Interesting reading the mini-reviews! I dont think I would get one, but I like reading about it :)